Madeline Beaufort and the Moon Thief

Both of them looked at Madeline and then the two tapped at devices equipped on their respective suits. They began to have a conversation in what Madeline could only assume was an alien language, consisting of low guttural tones and slimy growls.

Madeline could do nothing but watch the conversation that played out. James, and to a lesser extent, the Abyssal were noticeably upset with the small bug scientist. However, while watching the scene play out Madeline had the sudden realization that body-language could be entirely unique for different alien cultures. Madeline figured that James was enculturated on earth so his mannerisms must be similar enough to humans. The Abyssal seemed angry because of the increased frequency and force of his undulations, but from Madeline’s brief experience with the being was that it could mean he was simply experiencing any emotion at all. Context helped her decided it was probably anger.

The Bug scientist shot back at the two. This being was harder to read than the others. Madeline listened for any words that might sound remotely like english, but the whole dialect was formed with entirely different sounds. Despite this she thought she detected a hint of condescension from this insect man.

James cut into the bug man’s lecture, now taking a tone which felt like sarcasm to Madeline. James's grandiose gestures played to this. He melodramatically waved as one might if describing a current location in a community theater play, and then pointed in Madeline’s direction. Madeline figured James was talking about some relationship between herself and the base, and his confidence seemed to lend to a positive relationship.

The insectoid began talking again, this time at a low volume and slow pace, as if to underline the point he was making. He made a gesture towards the duo, and then reflexively glanced in Madeline’s direction.

Overall Madeline was perplexed, This seemed to be the third fight that had broken out since she had been here. The behavior of the aliens when interacting with each-other often seemed contradictory to what she had imagined beings in top secret bases would act like. She reasoned that perhaps this was because most of the aliens on the base were already considered classified simply due to their existence, and didn’t have to worry about not being professional by human standards. Regardless, this sort of behavior still made Madeline uncomfortable

Madeline was fed up with the whole thing, but especially by being left out of a conversation that was clearly about herself. “Look you two, I don’t care what you are saying but I know it’s about me! I don't much appreciate it so if you don’t mind how about James, Mr. Abyssal and I leave.”

James tapped at the device, which Madeline had come to realize was a translator equipped on the duo. “Right. Sorry Madeline... Hanging around this ungrateful grease anthropoid is no way for a HERO to spend her time.”

The bug man was entirely displeased by this comment, “Take that back! I'm an arthropod and you know it!”

James stuck out his sharp tongue at the insect man as they walked down the hallway. “Well, we should probably get to the combat room at this point.. But we’ll have to go our separate directions after that so we could kill probably find someway to kill another 10-20 minutes if you want. I'm here if you have any questions.”

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Spoiler>_ Go to the combat room? Somewhere else? Any last minute questions for James or The Abyssal?